VOICE FOR HUMANITY

Choolun Bhojoo Leads the Fight to Rid Mauritius of a Drug Plague

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA • APR 20, 2015

Choolun Bhojoo, Deputy Commissioner of the Mauritius Police, describes his department’s work to wipe out the island nation’s massive drug epidemic. His video, published on April 20, 2015 on the Scientology website, demonstrates how Mauritius law enforcement is educating young people with a key assist from the Foundation for a Drug-Free World and its The Truth About Drugs program.

Mauritius is a seemingly idyllic and tranquil island oasis in a turquoise sea. Located some 2,000 km (1,243 miles) off the southeastern coast of Africa, the tiny nation boasts a diverse cultural and religious melting pot where everyone lives together in harmony.

But the shimmering façade masks a darker reality. Mauritius is riddled with drug abuse. In fact, it carries a dubious designation: The highest rate of opiate consumption of any nation in eastern Africa.

“Many youngsters, they know the types of drugs that are on the market,” says Mr. Choolun Bhojoo, Deputy Commissioner of the Mauritius Police, responsible for the southern sector of the island. “We have to try to help them from falling prey to the scourge of drugs. Fighting drugs is one of our main priorities and one of our primary policing objectives.”

Acknowledging it couldn’t wage this battle alone, the Mauritius police contacted the Foundation for a Drug-Free World after having seen its materials online and immediately understanding it was the kind of program that could make a real difference.

Upon receiving the materials from the Foundation for it’s The Truth About Drugs program, the department distributed them to the police training school and all the branches and units of the Mauritius force. In order to properly incorporate the books, pamphlets and videos into its drug education/fighting efforts, the officers trained on the program themselves, instantly finding it, enriching, relevant and potentially effective.

“We launched community forums and went to schools and colleges to distribute (the materials)” says Bhojoo. “These have helped our staff and trainers to conduct these campaigns in the fight against drugs. Since our officers have become more alive and more knowledgeable with the support of the Foundation, they are now conducting their campaigns with more professionalism, with more commitment. Our campaigns have become livelier, catchier and more interesting.”

The Mauritius officers have reached more than 20,000 vulnerable young people through the program, which is now an integral part of the Mauritius department’s educational outreach. And with Deputy Commissioner Bhojoo driving the initiative forward, the future of the island’s drug fight is suddenly significantly brighter.

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The Church of Scientology supports The Truth About Drugs initiative, one of the world’s largest nongovernmental drug education and prevention campaigns. More than 800 government and community organizations have adopted these materials and some 24,000 Truth About Drugs educator kits and 62 million The Truth About Drugs booklets have been distributed in 123 countries.

Inspired by the words of L. Ron Hubbard, Founder of the Scientology religion, that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” Scientologists wholeheartedly support these programs. Participation and collaboration in these initiatives is invited and welcomed from all who seek to improve conditions for themselves and others.

The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954 and the religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.